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Cleveland Heights High musical returns home Nov. 2-5 with 'Shrek - The Musical'

Updated October 26, 2017 at 11:15 AM;Posted October 26, 2017 at 11:14 AM

It's not always easy being an ogre but, as in the case of Shrek (played by Tedd Byers), sometimes you end up with the princess (Sophie Gilson). Cleveland Heights High School will present 'Shrek - The Musical' from Nov. 2-5.(Jeff Piorkowski/special to cleveland.com)

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- After being away two years at the Wiley School Building, the annual Cleveland Heights High School musical is back where it belongs.

The newly renovated Cleveland Heights High features a much larger stage than does Wiley, which means there's plenty of room for not only the high school actors, but also the return of elementary and middle school cast members that had always participated in past musicals.

Director and music teacher Jesse Lange said that the cast includes 150 from the high school and 300 younger students, along with 60 orchestra members and another 25 crew members.

These more than 500 young people will be putting their collective talents towards a production of "Shrek - The Musical" Nov. 2-5.

"When we started rehearsals I thought, 'Hmm, this is a really big stage to fill," said senior Sophie Gilson, who is playing the part of Princess Fiona. "I never realized the size of this stage. But, it's fun to be back here."

Gilson, as a freshman, played onstage and in the pit orchestra at the Heights High auditorium. She is splitting the princess role with her twin sister, Hannah.

"Shrek," as moviegoers know, tells the story of the green ogre who is contentedly living alone in a swamp when he gets a visit from a host of fairy tale characters, including Pinocchio, The Three Bears, The Three Little Pigs, Peter Pan, and more, who have been exiled from their home in the Kingdom of Duloc by order of the evil Lord Farquaad. Farquaad has labeled the characters freaks and said they will be killed if they return.

Shrek wants back his peace and quiet and attempts to help the characters by speaking with Farquaad about their return.

With the fairy tale characters being labeled as freaks, Sophie Gilson believes the musical's message is one that is right for our times.

"We're in the midst of divisive sociopolitical times and this play's message of love and friendship and forgiveness is a good one," she said. "There's a song in the finale with the line, 'We are different and unique, you are us and we are you.' That's a message that's wonderful to share."

Lange, directing his third Heights High musical, said that the play may seem on the surface to be children's entertainment.

"People might think of ("Shrek") as fluff," he said. "It's not fluff.

"Like Bugs Bunny and other quality children's entertainment, there are things in the script that only adults would understand. It has a good message. It's good versus evil.

"What makes us special as people, what makes us strong is, basically, loving yourself. It's a good message for a child and a good message for adults."

As for his young actors, Lange said, "The audience comes and sees the play for one night. For everyone in the cast and crew, it's three months of hard work. When you're working on something that long, a message is important."

Playing the part of Shrek is senior Tedd Byers. Unlike Gilson, who said she wasn't a big Shrek fan as a child, but came to like it more after hearing the musical's soundtrack, Byers said of the movie, "I used to watch it religiously."

When asked if he ever dreamed he'd be playing the part on stage, Byers said, "Not at all."

Byers is up to the task, however, as he sings regularly at his church and has sung at private engagements. He is also a member of the school's barbershop singers.

As for the biggest challenge he faced in preparing to play Shrek, Byers said, "I had to learn to speak with a Scottish accent."

Like all good fairy tales, in the end, Princess Fiona finds her mate, although, Gilson adds that her character doesn't get quite what she was expecting.

"She's been dreaming since she was seven of finding her prince. She doesn't quite end up with what she thought she would."

Those who have not seen the renovated school might want to stop by a performance to check out the new-look auditorium.

But, audience members will want to pay attention to what's happening on stage. The large, youthful cast and its talents will likely have those who attend feeling pretty good by the time the play ends.

Cleveland Heights High School will present "Shrek - The Musical," at 7 p.m. Nov. 2, 3 and 4, and at 4 p.m. Nov. 5 at the school, 13263 Cedar Road. Tickets cost $15, $12 and $9 and are available online, or by calling 1-866-967-8167. For more information, call 216-320-3069.